Preserving History: The Ruins of Mama Parsi Fire Temple - A Glimpse into Sindh's Past and Zoroastrian Legacy
In Sukhar, North Sindh, Pakistan, the ruins of the Mama Parsi Fire Temple can be found. This temple holds historical significance as it was established during a period when Sindh was under the rule of the Baloch royal family of Talpur descent. They ruled independently until 1843 and then became a tributary of the British Empire until 1947.
During this era, Sindh provided a safe refuge for the Zoroastrian community. The Zoroastrian Agiary, or fire temple, was constructed in 1923 and served as a place of worship for the Parsi community. The temple complex, located on Wallace Road near the Indus River, was quite extensive and included the Khan Bahadur Marker Parsi Dharamshala and a school.
An old memorial stone found at the Agiary indicates that it was known as the "Mama Parsi Worship Place." However, over time, with the migration of the Parsi population from the area, the temple fell into neglect, and its condition worsened. The building eventually came into the possession of private individuals who are currently using it for residential purposes.
Unfortunately, due to negligence, much of the temple compound has been destroyed. This is regrettable as the Parsi community once played a significant role in the city's trade and commerce, and the compound itself was utilized for trade activities due to its strategic location near the Indus River.
The historical value of the Mama Parsi Fire Temple and its ruins serves as a reminder of the rich cultural and religious heritage of the region, highlighting the once flourishing Zoroastrian presence in Sindh. However, efforts need to be made to preserve and protect these valuable remnants of the past for future generations to appreciate.
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